InimõigusteNõukogu 35. Sessioon
Interventionby ESTONIA
Item 4:Interactive Dialogue on the Situation of Human Rights in Burundi (HRC res. 33/24)
Genf,13 juuni 2017
Mr. President,
Estonia fully alignsitself with the EU statement.
We thank the Commissionof Inquiry for the oral update on the dire human rights situation in Burundi. We remain deeply worried about the systematichuman rights violations that have taken and are taking place, by Governmentalagents and those associated to them. We note with concern the deteriorating humanrights situation and the government’s continued use of repressive measures,including repression of human rights defenders, suspension of civil societyorganizations (CSOs) and introduction of new control measures over the CSOs work.We are worried about the government’s attempts to curtail the freedom ofexpression, association, and assembly, and call on the government of Burundi toguarantee those rights.
Furthermore, we express deepconcern over the increasing cases of enforced disappearances and we call on thegovernment of Burundi to conduct independent and impartial investigations into thosecases. We find very worrisome the increased repression and call on thegovernment to end the long-standing culture of impunity in Burundi. Thedecision of the government of Burundi to withdraw from the ICC Statute isdeeply disappointing and we call on the government to continue to cooperatewith the ICC, as it is crucial for victims of grave crimes, to receive justice.
We expect Burundi, especiallyas a member of the Human Rights Council, to uphold the highest standards in thepromotion and protection of human rights and invite the Burundian authoritiesto fully cooperate with all HRC mechanisms andwith the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), in independentand impartial international investigations into reportsof the gross human rights abuses in Burundi.
Thank you.